Freesias

The camellias, azaleas, roses and freesias are slowly starting to bloom in my back yard. Love spring!

Bouquet for you tonight.

This photo was taken with my iPhone camera, then I played around a bit with another app that was downloaded. I feel like a kid with a new toy ... so much fun!

Reno Museum of Art

I took this photo with my iPhone last weekend at the Reno Museum of Art. Today I had to wait while the oil was changed in my car, so I played around with a new app for the phone (www.Vihgo.com) and came up with this version of the photo.

Camellia japonica

It's been a few days since I posted -- my excuse? -- I'm enrolled in a Photo Montage class with Carol Leigh (http://www.photoexplorations.com/) This type of work is very addicting. The current assignment is very time consuming, but I can't stop! I'm using the first camellia from my yard this year as the subject. Yeah! Spring really IS here. You'll probably see more of this beauty in future assignments. I believe this one is Camellia japonica, Gustav Gerbing.

Spring forward ...

A photographic reminder to change your clocks.

Snow ... and 20 degrees this morning in Reno

We woke up to a light coating of snow on everything this morning. I liked the hose peaking out from the deck. Notice the subtle pattern made by the pavers that show through the snow?

One from Berkeley

Just last week-end I was in Berkeley for a workshop -- had a chance to explore 4th Street and wander around all the older buildings, lots of graffiti. This one is behind chain-link fence with a huge sign saying it is going to be rebuilt. Hope so, it's got lots of character, but looks like it needs a LOT of work.

Snow in the mountains.

What a difference a day makes -- yesterday I was enjoying the sunshine and spring flowers in Roseville. Today as I drive over to Reno, snow from about the 3,000 ft. elevation and more snow tomorrow. For today, though, I am enjoying the drive, the roads are clear, light traffic and clouds. Beautiful clouds.

Spring is here!!!!!

On the road between Antelope and Roseville, a few acres still undeveloped, just had to pull over and photograph this beautiful old oak.

Day lily

Spring is coming ... some time soon I hope. Meanwhile this day lily brightens up my kitchen.

Abandoned truck

Driving West on Hwy. 80 to the SF Bay area I spotted some abandoned farm equipment on a beautiful piece of property. I got off the freeway (near Fairfield) and drove back a short distance on the frontage road to find an abandoned farm. Someone many years ago, apparently walked away from the farm house, truck, tractors and other rusty pieces. Near the road was an abandoned, graffiti-covered, fruit stand. I liked this close up of the truck.

Art day

I'm in Redwood City today, granddaughter Ellery & her Dad & I are having an art day. She's experimenting with all the watercolor pencils at once. Fun results & fun afternoon.

Camellia

Camellias again. This time I used the 100 mm macro lens to get in real close. I love the layers I saw through this lens. It had been raining just before I picked this flower.

Memory lane ...

If you look at your life as having different chapters in a book, this photo came from my sailing chapter. That's my foot you see there with the pink nail polish -- I was high up the mast changing out a light bulb. I took my point-n-shoot camera up with me in the tool bag and took photos of the marina where we were (Alameda CA) plus this shot. Yippee! I was happy to find the print.

First camellia of 2010

The camellias are blooming. I ran out between the rain storms and picked a few -- between the high winds and rain they are being blown off as soon as they open up.

In my Photo Montage class (with Carol Leigh) I'm playing with blend modes in Photoshop. I did some "playing" with this camellia. Maybe tomorrow will post one SOC (straight out of camera). But for today, here's the one from the digital darkroom

Tile work

While in Palm Springs a few weeks ago, my sister & I and our two cousins visited the Cancer Survivors Park, a beautiful retreat for all cancer survivors. I loved the huge tile benches and enlarged one part of this one.

Bamboo

I found this stand of bamboo at the San Diego Zoo on my last trip to San Diego.